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Rich in culture, history and heritage, Belize contains some of the oldest known Mayan ruins from a civilization that dates back to around 2500 B.C. The thick inland jungles of the Belize interior hold many Mayan cultural treasures, including several discovered ruins of ancient settlements. Stand atop pyramids thousands of years old and view the surrounding jungle-covered mountains or Caribbean Sea. And don’t forget to bring your camera.

Belize Ruins

Among the most frequented sites, Altun Ha and Lamanai, in the northern region of Belize, provide vastly different experiences. Altun Ha is accessible via a short drive from Belize City and features two large plazas surrounded by smaller pyramids. Float up the New River to Lamanai, where the thick Belize jungle yields an impressive compound of open plazas with three large pyramids. Travel to the Cayo District in western Belize to see Xunantunich and Caracol. Xunantunich, a well-excavated settlement, was inhabited as late as 900 A.D. A hand-cranked car ferry across the Mopan River will gain you access from an easily accessible road. Caracol, located deep inside the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, houses the tallest man-made structure in Belize. The main pyramid, known as “Sky Palace,” rises above the jungle canopy to a height of 136 feet. Tikal, the largest ruins in the area and once home to more than 100,000 Maya, is just across the Guatemalan border, but is most easily accessible via western Belize. Smaller sites, such as Santa Rita, Cerros, Cuello, Pacbitun and Pilar are also scattered throughout the country, but most sites are concentrated in the northern and western regions.

Tour Guides/Excursions

Belize City is the port of call for the major cruise ship lines that frequent Belize. Most companies offer shore excursions to many of Belize’s Mayan ruin sites. No matter where you are staying in the country, thanks to its small size most ruin tours can be done as day trips, sometimes with multiple sites included in the tour. Tour guides in Belize are licensed by the government and can be found in most tourist-frequented towns, such as Belize City, San Ignacio and Placencia, as well as in the villages of the Cayes that stud the barrier reef off Belize’s mainland coast. Most hotels can provide a list of licensed tour operators and even help arrange trips.

Self-Guided Tours

Adventurous travelers can opt to explore the ruins on their own. Water-taxi rides from the Cayes travel to Belize City on scheduled routes multiple times each day. You'll need a rental car from there, but Belize’s roads are few and travel times minimal. Taxi drivers can also be hired for the day to provide transportation. Agree on a rate in advance. If you rent a vehicle, a four-wheel drive is recommended -- roads are susceptible to washouts during the rainy season, and driving on many of Belize’s jungle roads can provide an adventure all its own. Bring a good guide book and map, and take time to explore the villages along the way. Get a road condition report before embarking to your primary destination. Have a backup site in place in case accessibility is limited.

What to Expect

Many of Belize’s Mayan ruins feature interpretive centers that help explain the history and culture of the civilization -- some more in-depth than others. Site artifacts unearthed during excavation may also be on display. Howler monkeys, toucans and other wildlife can frequently be seen in the jungle canopy surrounding the sites. Some locations may have limited bath facilities. Entrance fees and possibly lunch will be included in the quoted price if you book a cruise ship excursion or using a licensed tour guide. Tour guides are also a good source of knowledge about the ruins and Mayan civilization. Tour schedules can change frequently depending on season, weather, accessibility and other factors. Not all guides go to all ruins. Stay flexible in your plans, and don’t book a tour too far in advance. Tours are usually readily available, but you may have to opt for a secondary choice.

Resources

About the Author

Todd Roy has been writing professionally since 1984. He is a former sportswriter and journalist for two daily newspapers in Minnesota and was a featured columnist for "The Olive," a regional political-satire publication. He has a professional certificate for journalism and photography from the Rochester University Center.

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